Union Government notifies stricter standards for Coal Based Thermal Power Plants

The Union Government has notified the revised standards for coal-based Thermal Power Plants in the country with the primary aim of minimising pollution
In this regard, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued notification and proposed theses standard to be implemented in a phased manner.
Key facts

• These new standards are based on the recommendation of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) after consultations with different stakeholders.
• For implementation of revised standards Thermal power plants are categorised into 3 categories (i) Installed before 31st December, 2003 (ii) Installed after 2003 and up to 31st December, 2016 and (iii) Installed after 31st December, 2016.
• The new standards are aimed at reducing emission of sulphur dioxide (7.3 Kg/MWh), PM10 (0.98 kg/MWh) and Oxide of nitrogen (4.8 kg/MWh).
• It would in turn help in bringing about an improvement in the Nation Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) index around and in thermal power plants.
• The technology employed for controlling of proposed emission limit of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) will also help in reducing mercury emission at about 70-90%.
• Limiting the use of water in thermal power plant for water conservation as thermal power plant is a water-intensive industry. In turn it would also lead to a reduction in energy requirement for drawl of water.

The standards have been made stringent for recently installed plants, compared to earlier ones and most stringent standards will be for those plants to be set up in future.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2015